A Fiqh ul-Hadithi Evaluation of the Authenticity of the Hadiths (Traditions) about Attributing Imam Mahdi to Abbas Ibn Abd il-Muttallib within Sunna Hadith Sources

The issue of Mahdawiyyah has always been considered a focal point by Hadith scholars, historians, authors, and statesmen. Amongst dynasties paying special attention to the issue of Mahdawiyyah was the Abbasid dynasty. It seems probable that the reason behind the centrality of this issue amongst them was the presence of a person called Mahdi amongst the Abbasid having the same name as the Holy Prophet, thus giving rise to the political tendency of forging hadiths stating that the Promised Mahdi is the progeny of Abbas, the Prophet's paternal uncle. Consequently, a collection of hadiths were forged which encompassed the idea that "Mahdi is the progeny of Abbas." Historical documents tentify to the fact that the forging of such hadiths was endorsed by the Abbasid dynasty. This article aims at an investigation of the authenticity of such hadiths according to the documents and Fiqh ul-Hadith. It will be clarified that such hadiths lack authentic documents according to the Sunna hadith and rijal sources. Moreover, they are not consistent with authentic traditions indicating that the Promised Mahdi is the progeny of the Prophet and Lady Fatima, along with other criticisms based on Fiqh ul-Hadith, which bring discredit upon the collection of hadiths referring to the idea that "Mahdi is the progeny of Abbas" according to the Sunna principles and sources.